Seaside Park (Marblehead, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Seaside Park
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Massachusetts
|
|
| Location | Marblehead, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| NRHP reference No. | 11000333 |
| Added to NRHP | June 8, 2011 |
Seaside Park is a cool park right by the ocean in Marblehead, Massachusetts. It's the biggest of Marblehead's four public parks, covering more than 14 acres. Imagine a huge space for fun! The park has an old grandstand (that's like a big set of bleachers) where you can watch baseball games. From the eastern side, you get amazing views of Marblehead Harbor and Marblehead Neck. This special park was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 8, 2011. This means it's an important historical place!
Exploring Seaside Park
Seaside Park is located on the east side of Marblehead. It's surrounded by Atlantic Avenue to the west, Chestnut Street to the north, and Harbor View Lane and Ladys Cove to the east. Wyman Lane is on the south side. You can easily get into the park from Atlantic Avenue. The other roads around the park mostly have houses.
The part of the park closest to Atlantic Avenue is flat. This is where you'll find lots of sports areas! There's a paved basketball court for shooting hoops. There's also a baseball diamond, which is big enough to be used for football or soccer games too.
Right behind the baseball field, you'll see the Roundy Grandstand. This is a great spot to sit and watch the games. North of the grandstand, you'll find tennis courts and a playground. These are located behind the Our Lady Star of the Sea church complex.
Behind the grandstand and tennis courts, the land goes uphill into a wooded area. There are trails here that lead you through the trees towards the shore. If you walk to the very eastern edge of the park, you'll get awesome views! From here, you can see Ladys Cove and Marblehead Neck.
Park History and Fun Facts
Marblehead had its first three parks, Crocker Park, Bailey's Headland, and Fort Sewall, built between 1886 and 1890. Seaside Park started a little later. The town bought the first piece of land for Seaside Park in 1895. The idea was to create a great place for sports and activities.
The inner part of the park was made flat and planted with grass. More land was bought over time to make the park even bigger. New improvements started to appear in the 1910s. The grandstand, which you can still see today, was built in 1916. A local semi-pro baseball team even asked for it!
A very important visitor came to the park in 1925. President Calvin Coolidge visited Seaside Park when he was spending his summer in Marblehead!
More fun additions came in the 1930s. The first tennis courts were built, and there was even an ice skating rink! That space is now used for more tennis courts. The grandstand got a big makeover and was restored in 1990, so it looks great for everyone to enjoy.
